Network: Install router / cable modem as close to the d mark as possible

Network: Do not use wireless
- No bandwidth lost to frequency competition with neighbors
- Physical connection will always perform better

Network: Direct wire to the router / cable modem with no cable interruptions and no intermediate switches / routers
- Use a CAT6 shielded cable

Network: Power down other devices on the network
- Performance will be poor if someone or something else is using your network (Netflix, cable box firmware or schedule updates)
- This includes powering off your cable boxes, which will use data channels to download programming and firmware updates on an unknown / unpredictable schedule
- If you are experiencing sudden but momentary lag in game, drops in framerates, etc - this could be the culprit

Network: Make sure all devices are running at 100/Full or 1000/Full
- 100/full devices will need to be manually configured
- Some low cost switches are not configurable, but support 100/full if the endpoint specifies it

Disk Performance: Verify AHCI mode is enabled
- If using single disk, use AHCI (Doesn't apply if using motherboard RAID)

Disk Performance: Use an SSD
- Samsung 840 or 850 pro at 256GB or greater (smaller sizes have lower throughput)

Game: Use lowest graphics settings

Game: Disable anti-aliasing and other post-processing effects, including motion blur